It has been said that the choice of perceptions from among images in general is the effect of a “discernment” which foreshadows spirit.  But to touch the reality of spirit, we must place ourselves at the point where an individual consciousness continues and retains the past in a present, enriched by it.[Footnote:  See Chapter vi on la duree.  Time—­ True and False.] Perception we never meet in its pure state; it is always mingled with memories.  The rose has a different scent for you from that which it has for me, just because the scent of the rose bears with it all the memories of all the roses we have ever experienced, each of us individually.[Footnote:  Time and Free Will, pp. 161-162 (Fr. p. 124).] Memory, however mingled with Perception, is nevertheless fundamentally different in character.[Footnote:  Le Souvenir du present et la fausse reconnaissance, Revue philosophique, Dec., 1908, p. 580; also L’Effort intellectuel, Revue philosophique, Jan., 1902, p. 23; L’Energie spirituelle, pp. 141 and 197 (Mind-Energy).] “When we pass from ‘pure’ Perception to Memory, we definitely abandon matter for spirit."[Footnote:  Matter and Memory, p. 313 (Fr. p. 263).]

CHAPTER IV

MEMORY

Definition—­Two forms—­memorizing power related to habit; recalling power or “pure” memory.  Is memory a function of the brain?—­Pathological Phenomena.  Memory something other than merely a function of the brain.  The “Box” theory—­Memory records everything—­Dreams—­The well-balanced mind—­Memory a manifestation of spirit.

The importance of Memory is recognized by all persons—­whether psychologists or not.  At the present time there is a growing interest in systems of memory-training offered to the public, which aim at mental efficiency as a means to success in life.  Indeed, from the tone of some advertisements seen in the press, one might be prompted to think that Memory itself was the sole factor determining success in either a professional or a business career.  Yet, although we are likely to regard this as a somewhat exaggerated statement, nevertheless we cannot deny the very great importance of the power of Memory.  How often, in everyday life, we hear people excuse themselves by remarking “My memory failed me” or “played me false” or, more bluntly, “I forgot all about that.”  Without doubt, Memory is a most vital factor, though not the only one in mental efficiency.[Footnote:  The true ideal of mental efficiency must include power of Will as well as of Memory.] It is an element in mental life which puzzles both the specialist in psychology and the layman.  “What is this wonderfully subtle power of mind?” “How do we remember?” Even the mind, untrained in psychological investigation, cannot help asking such questions in moments of reflection; but for the psychologist they are questions of very vital significance in his science.  For Bergson, as psychologist, Memory is naturally, a subject of great importance.